Chapter 17 - Revenge, Return to the Gu Family!

The Gu family members stared at the sword, their faces filled with hatred and fear, yet none dared to approach.

Over the past few days, they had heard plenty about Gu Han’s actions in the Wild Forest. With the Gu family’s main forces absent, they neither dared to nor could stop him. However, curses were inevitable.

“Quick, notify the grand elder!”

“What does this bastard want? Does he plan to tear down the ancestral hall?”

“He’s truly a wild wolf! This is how he repays kindness!”

Ah Sha could no longer hold back and started arguing with the crowd. “Nonsense! The young lord has never wronged the Gu family! It’s the Gu family who wronged him!”

However, her voice was quickly drowned out.

“The worst mistake Gu Tian ever made was picking him up and bringing him here!”

“Don’t mention him!

Hmph,

he always favored Gu Han. He didn’t deserve to be the family head. Dying at the hands of this bastard was his own doing!”

Ah Sha’s eyes welled up with tears. “You... you’re all lying...”

***

Inside the ancestral hall.

Gu Han carefully wiped the dust off the spirit tablet, murmuring incessantly, “Father, you heard them. We fought so hard for the Gu family, and we pushed it step by step all the way to where it is now. Yet they’re all blind—they can’t see it! The Gu family is rotten to the core!”

As he spoke, he slowly closed his eyes.

“And since it’s already this far gone, then... it might as well disappear!”

***

In Gu Han’s consciousness space.

The black shadow perked up upon seeing Gu Han again.

“Kid, you’re back! Have you come to your senses? I told you before, becoming my disciple is the best choice for that little girl...

Hmm?

”

Mid-sentence, he noticed Gu Han’s unusual state.

“

Tsk tsk tsk,

such heavy malice!”

Previously, Gu Han had shown malice in his words and actions, but it was nothing compared to today’s intensity.

“This was unexpected. You’re a natural-born demonic cultivator! Hey, would you consider becoming my nominal disciple?”

Gu Han cut straight to the point.

“I want revenge. Help me.”

“Help you? Why should I?”

“I’ll owe you a favor.”

“Ridiculous! Your favor is worthless. I don’t...

ahem

!”

Just as he’d started scoffing at Gu Han, he felt dozens of blades of sword intent hovering nearby, surrounding him. His expression instantly turned serious..

“

Ahem...

Fine, what do you need? Although I’m a demonic cultivator, I have a kind heart!”

“My father was murdered by the very family member he trusted most. So...” Gu Han recounted what he’d heard about his father’s death in a low voice.

After hearing his story, the shadow fell into silence. Previously, he had mostly been dormant, and all he knew was that the golden seal had somehow ended up in Gu Han’s hands. He knew little about what had happened to Gu Tian. Finally, after a long pause, he sighed.

“So that’s what happened... Betrayal by those you trust most... I understand that feeling. Very well, I’ll help you today.”

***

Tianwu City.

At the center of the inner city, there was a martial arts competition stage that was ten zhang in radius, built from blue stone.

Now, the stage was surrounded by a dense crowd, packed tightly without a gap. At the front, a middle-aged man sat in luxurious robes, exuding authority. He was Liu Yan, the city lord of Tianwu. Beside him were the heads of the city’s major families.

Except for Gu Chang, all family heads wore grim expressions. They knew this competition was merely a formality. With Gu Yang’s strength, claiming victory would be effortless. As for Liu Yan, he didn’t really care. As the city lord, he only needed to maintain Tianwu City’s stability. The more the families fought among themselves, the better.

A guard stepped forward. “City Lord, the time has come!”

Liu Yan nodded absentmindedly. “Then begin.”

As he spoke, he glanced subconsciously at the quiet room behind him. Inside was the Seventh Prince.

***

In the consciousness space, the shadow was explaining something to Gu Han.

“Strictly speaking, the Soul-Snatching Technique is not a divine ability. It’s just a technique for manipulating soul power. Your soul power is strong, far surpassing others...”

As he spoke, his heart sank.

That soul power... was originally mine! This damned bastard! Ever since I met him, nothing good has happened!

Gu Han nodded. “Okay, I understand.”

The Soul-Snatching Technique had been carefully selected by the shadow, and it was perfectly suited for this situation.

Just as he was about to leave, Gu Han turned back. “One more thing. I said I’d owe you a favor, and that favor still stands.”

The shadow cursed inwardly.

What bullshit! I don’t need your favor!

“But I have to say... this kid seems pretty loyal and righteous... No, no!” He shook his head. “I can’t soften up. I still need to find a way to kill him!”

***

With every minute that passed, the Gu family members grew more aggressive in their curses. Suddenly, the ancestral hall doors opened again, and Gu Han appeared, holding Gu Tian’s spirit tablet.

Silence fell.

Gu Han ignored the crowd and drew his sword. “Ah Sha, let’s go.”

Ah Sha wiped her tears and glared at the crowd. “Young Lord, these people are rotten to the core. I never want to come back!”

“Then we won’t.”

From behind them, the crowd stared at Gu Han’s back, looking as if all they wanted was to eat him alive.

Suddenly, Gu Han stopped in his tracks. “One more thing.”

His sword quivered, and two razor-sharp blades of sword qi shot out.

Under the Gu family’s despairing and hateful gazes, the grand ancestral hall collapsed into ruins.

***

At the martial competition stage.

Gu Yang’s spear, wreathed in crimson light, slammed into his opponent, sending them flying off the stage with a mouthful of blood.

“Next!” Gu Yang didn’t even glance at his defeated foe; he had already returned to his fighting stance, and his spear was poised to strike down another opponent..

“Young Lord Gu Yang is too strong!”

“Who dares challenge him now? No one can last a single round!”

“

Tsk tsk,

the Martial Academy spot is his without a doubt!”

Amid the crowd’s chatter, Gu Yang’s ego rose to its peak. In contrast, the family heads at the front looked grim.

First Gu Han, now Gu Yang! What incredible luck does the Gu family have?

Liu Yan nodded at Gu Chang. “Not bad. This young man has potential.”

Despite Gu Chang’s scheming nature, he couldn’t hide his smile.

“You flatter him, City Lord. If Gu Yang can enter the Martial Academy, it’ll be a great Tianwu and for you!”

“True. I still have connections at the Martial Academy. Before Gu Yang leaves, have him visit the city lord’s mansion.”

“Thank you, City Lord!” Gu Chang’s smile widened.

With Liu Yan’s recommendation, even if Gu Yang failed to impress the Seventh Prince, his future would be bright.

Suddenly, a mocking voice cut in.

“

Hehe,

Gu Yang is talented, but compared to Gu Han, he’s lacking!”

“Not just lacking but far inferior!”

They were the heads of the Zhang and Wang families, the only two clans in Tianwu capable of rivaling the Gu family.

Gu Chang’s face darkened. “What do you mean? That murderer deserves death! Talent means nothing!”

“Yet even with all the bounty you put on his head, I don’t see his head anywhere!”

“

Hehe,

the Gu family should be careful!”

Their words weren’t out of sympathy for Gu Han. They just wanted to spite Gu Chang.

Gu Chang sneered. “No need for your concern. That bastard will be dead within half a day!”

On the stage, Gu Yang stood calmly, his gaze occasionally drifting to the quiet room behind Liu Yan.

That noble... must have seen my potential by now, right?

***

In the quiet room.

The Seventh Prince coughed violently, his face getting more pale.

“Your Highness!”

Chief Steward Li rushed forward, channeling spirit qi into him without restraint.

The Seventh Prince waved him off. “Enough. Save your strength. It’s no use.”

Chief Steward Li’s heart ached. “Your Highness, why watch this Martial Academy qualification battle? With you so frail, you’d be better off with Elder Xue, seeing if he’s found a solution.”

The Seventh Prince smiled weakly. “If he could’ve figured it out, he would have by now. These years have been hard on him.”

Then, he looked outside. “I want to see more of this world’s beauty while I still can. Besides, that young man seems quite talented. Who’d have thought a small place like Tianwu could produce such a promising kid?”

Chief Steward Li sneered. “Him? That’s considered talent? If you want real potential, Elder Xue and I met someone in the Wild Forest...”

At the thought of Gu Han, his face darkened.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, nothing! Your Highness, let’s return to Elder Xue. The battle’s almost over. There’s nothing left to see.”

“Ah, very well. I’ll have to trouble him again.” The Seventh Prince rose slowly.

***

Seeing that no one else was stepping forward, Gu Yang smirked.

“What? No more challengers?

Hehe,

all bark and no bite!”

The other clans’ youths clenched their fists. Their faces were flushed with humiliation, yet none dared to face Gu Yang on the stage.

Ignoring the other family heads’ grim expressions, Gu Chang smiled smugly. “City Lord, I feel that there is no point in this competition anymore.”

“Indeed.” Liu Yan stood up. “In that case, the Martial Academy spot—”

Suddenly, a hoarse, low voice rang out from afar, “Wait!”

“Who said that?”

The crowd exchanged glances, but with so many people, the source was hard to pinpoint. However, Liu Yan easily located the speaker with his third-stage Essence Gathering cultivation.

“Gu Han!”

“It’s him!”

The family heads, including Gu Chang, noticed him shortly after.

“Gu Han? Which Gu Han?”

“Idiot, how many Gu Hans do you know?”

“Why’s he back? Does he want the Martial Academy spot?”

“Nonsense! He’s a murderer. The city lord would never allow it!”

Amid the chatter, the crowd instinctively parted, forming a path.

Holding Gu Tian’s spirit tablet in one hand and leading Ah Sha with the other, Gu Han walked expressionlessly to the edge of the stage, completely ignoring the many eyes fixed on him.

Gu Yang’s face turned grim as he saw Gu Han approaching the stage.

The latter simply looked at him with the same expressionless face. “Gu Yang, that Martial Academy spot is mine. Did you ask for my permission to take it?”